New York. New York was a large seaport state that had a large population and was set in wealth. There were many different cultures living there and so many different opinions on the Constitution.
Occupation and socio-economic background:
Born in the Charlestown in the British West Indies, Hamilton grew up in Christiansted. His first job was as a clerk at the local import-export firm called Beekman and Cruger. He then apprenticed with a carpenter. He was adopted by a Nevis merchant and continued clerking. While so he gained important skills in reading and writing. He published work in local newpapers and earned enough money to study at King's College and relieved a Bachelors of Arts in one year. He joined the Revolutionary cause and reached the rank of lieutenant. He then became an aid to General Washington. He married Elizabeth Schuyler who got him connections to Robert Morris in the legal business. Hamilton became his assistant. He learned a lot from Washington regarding politics and found his Federalist views. He was elected to the Continental Congress and became a very prominent leader in the cause for a stronger central government. After the Articles of Confederation were written Hamilton, Madison and John Jay realized that the Articles were not strong enough and started to revise a new plan.
Constitutional Convention:
Hamilton part of the Federalists at the Constitutional Convention. His powers were limited though because he was always getting outvoted by the other New York delegates. He criticized bother the New Jersey and Virginia plans saying that they both lacked enough central government power. He came up with an idea to virtually abolish power in the states and give the president a life long term. The plan was praised but a lot of the delegates, but was to close to the way Britain ruled so they rejected it and Hamilton left the convention in June. He approved the Constitution over the Articles of Confederation though.
States ratification:
Hamilton voted for it to be ratified and played a very large role in getting the Constitution ratified in New York against great odds. He was also the only delegate from New York to sign the Constitution and fully support it. The work that he helped to write called The Federalist helped change a lot of the people's views on the Constitution.
Hamilton's Allies:
James Madison and Hamilton went to George Washington soon after the Articles of Confederation were completed and convinced him at the Annapolis Convention that they needed to be changed. Hamilton was a leader of the federalists, but relied on the help of James Madison, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin to help explain and prove to the delegates why the Articles of Confederation needed to be abolished not just changed.
Hamilton's Foes:
Hamilton's foes included the Anti-Federalist party, but his greatest foe around that time was Thomas Jefferson. They had differing opinions because they were on different sides of the debate, but also did not personally like each other. They were both strong leaders for their cause and got into very heated arguments. He also debated with Melancton Smith who was also from New York.
Alexander Hamilton:
Federalists.
State representation:
New York. New York was a large seaport state that had a large population and was set in wealth. There were many different cultures living there and so many different opinions on the Constitution.Occupation and socio-economic background:
Born in the Charlestown in the British West Indies, Hamilton grew up in Christiansted. His first job was as a clerk at the local import-export firm called Beekman and Cruger. He then apprenticed with a carpenter. He was adopted by a Nevis merchant and continued clerking. While so he gained important skills in reading and writing. He published work in local newpapers and earned enough money to study at King's College and relieved a Bachelors of Arts in one year. He joined the Revolutionary cause and reached the rank of lieutenant. He then became an aid to General Washington. He married Elizabeth Schuyler who got him connections to Robert Morris in the legal business. Hamilton became his assistant. He learned a lot from Washington regarding politics and found his Federalist views. He was elected to the Continental Congress and became a very prominent leader in the cause for a stronger central government. After the Articles of Confederation were written Hamilton, Madison and John Jay realized that the Articles were not strong enough and started to revise a new plan.Constitutional Convention:
Hamilton part of the Federalists at the Constitutional Convention. His powers were limited though because he was always getting outvoted by the other New York delegates. He criticized bother the New Jersey and Virginia plans saying that they both lacked enough central government power. He came up with an idea to virtually abolish power in the states and give the president a life long term. The plan was praised but a lot of the delegates, but was to close to the way Britain ruled so they rejected it and Hamilton left the convention in June. He approved the Constitution over the Articles of Confederation though.States ratification:
Hamilton voted for it to be ratified and played a very large role in getting the Constitution ratified in New York against great odds. He was also the only delegate from New York to sign the Constitution and fully support it. The work that he helped to write called The Federalist helped change a lot of the people's views on the Constitution.Hamilton's Allies:
James Madison and Hamilton went to George Washington soon after the Articles of Confederation were completed and convinced him at the Annapolis Convention that they needed to be changed. Hamilton was a leader of the federalists, but relied on the help of James Madison, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin to help explain and prove to the delegates why the Articles of Confederation needed to be abolished not just changed.Hamilton's Foes:
Hamilton's foes included the Anti-Federalist party, but his greatest foe around that time was Thomas Jefferson. They had differing opinions because they were on different sides of the debate, but also did not personally like each other. They were both strong leaders for their cause and got into very heated arguments. He also debated with Melancton Smith who was also from New York.Works Cited
"Alexander Hamilton Resource Guide: American Memory (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress)." Library of Congress Home. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. <http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/hamilton/memory.html>.
Alexander Hamilton. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. <http://www.alexanderhamilton.org/>.
"Constitutional Convention." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. <http://library.thinkquest.org/20176/convention.htm>.
Hamilton, Alexander. "Federalist No. 70." [New York] 1788. Print.